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Month in Review

September 11, 2001. On that dark day, the citizens of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed 38 airliners and thousands of passengers who had no place else to go. Gander shone as the beacon of hope in the wake of tragedy, welcoming strangers who left as life-long friends. We are excited to announce that tickets are now available for YOU ARE HERE! This award-winning documentary will be shown in hundreds of theaters for one night only on Wednesday, September 11th. Find your theater and reserve your seats. More.

Please join us for the 18th anniversary of "WALK WITH JOE", a memorial 5K walk honoring Patrick "Joe" Driscoll, Christopher Gray and Tom McCann, local area residents who lost their lives on September 11th. The Walk will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019, 10:00 a.m., at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, NJ. Please visit the website at www.walkwithjoe.com to register and obtain additional information. All proceeds are donated to local charities and non-profit organizations.

On May 30, VOICES was honored to witness the dedication and opening of the 9/11 Memorial Glade. The Glade honors all 9/11 responders, survivors, and community members who are sick or have died from exposure to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11. The Glade also recognizes the courage, selflessness and perseverance of the men and women of the rescue and recovery effort.

“Like the heroes we lost on 9/11, their selfless acts provided light that helped guide us through our darkest hours and they allowed our city to rise again,” said former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Glade consists of a pathway flanked by six monoliths protruding from the ground, inlaid with steel from the towers. Learn more about the Glade.

June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and VOICES continues to make efforts to promote this important cause. About half of those who responded to, survived, or lost loved ones on 9/11 have PTSD. Because it is classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD is entirely treatable. It is often early detection and increased awareness about the disorder that can help those suffering seek successful treatment as soon as possible.

PTSD is often misunderstood by those with no firsthand experience, and here at VOICES we encourage an open dialogue. Learn more about symptoms, resources, and treatment options.

At a hearing in New York City on May 13, families demanded the Department of Justice reveal redacted names from FBI transcripts that could show how high-ranking Saudi officials were involved in the attacks. Over 100 family members were in attendance at the hearing.

To date, the Department of Justice has refused to allow the release of FBI documents in order to protect a Saudi government official, while citing national security concerns.

During the month of May we are promoting Mental Health Awareness, a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. VOICES has always been a staunch proponent of promoting resiliency through education and connecting individuals with resources that promote mental health wellness. Building awareness and destigmatizing treatment for mental health conditions is the first step.

You may not be aware that one in five Americans are affected by a mental health condition in a given year, and mental health issues are prevalent among those impacted by traumatic events. Oftentimes, when an individual suffers from mental health issues, the whole family is affected.

Due to stigma and/or lack of access to treatment, many do not seek care. Left untreated, mental health conditions can become more complicated and may result in lost earnings, hospitalization, medical issues, and in some cases suicide. Know that you are not alone and with the proper treatment, individuals with mental health conditions can live a productive life. Learn More about building awareness of mental health.

As part of our efforts to assist communities impacted by other tragedies, on April 2 VOICES staff traveled to Parkland, Florida to participate in a Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas Community Peer Support Event.

The peer event was organized by Mike Dempsey and the September 11th Education Trust, and included a delegation of victims' family members and survivors impacted by 9/11, the shootings at Columbine High School, Pulse Night Club, Las Vegas, the Aurora movie theatre, the Boston Marathon Bombing and the Israeli terrorist attacks. More.

On March 28 and 29, VOICES hosted "Preparing for After: Planning for Effective Response Following Acts of Mass Violence" at Grace Farms, in New Canaan, CT. The trainings provided an overview of VOICES preparedness trainings that document best practices for community stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from acts of mass violence. The events brought together professionals from over 15 towns across Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, including police officers, firefighters, emergency managers, clinicians, and government officials.

The trainings were conducted by VOICES staff Mary Fetchet and Stephanie Landau and presentations were made by individuals who responded to the 9/11 attacks and the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our thanks to Grace Farms for hosting the event, and our presenters: Dr. Karen Alter-Reid, Psychotherapist & EMDR expert; Jennifer Barahona, Executive Director of the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation; Karen Carlucci, Psychotherapist & Professional Coach; Retired NYPD Officers Jeannie Kelly and Matthew McCauley from the law firm of Turken, Heath & McCauley; Danny Stebbins, Retired Colonel of the Connecticut State Police; and Jo Ann Zucker, Psychotherapist and Support Group Facilitator. More.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wrote Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray today to ensure that the FBI is fully and promptly cooperating with 9/11 victims and their families seeking justice through the courts.

In 2016, Congress approved the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which allows victims of terrorism and their families to pursue civil lawsuits against foreign states that aid and abet terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Today, Blumenthal, Cornyn, Gillibrand, Grassley, and Schumer asked Director Wray to ensure that the FBI is working with survivors to provide evidence and documents necessary in their pursuit of justice. More.

Friday, March 15 is World Sleep Day. Quality sleep is essential to wellness, especially for those coping with physical and/or psychological conditions. Sleep disturbance is common among those living with trauma, grief, and medical conditions, and is prevalent in the 9/11 community.

Sleep is crucial for promoting energy, concentration, and resilience. You can address sleep problems in many ways - you can seek medical advice for medications, you can seek psychotherapy, and an MD or therapist will both be able to help you with good sleep hygiene. More.